No. 3 Oklahoma has produced a litany of dynamic receivers over the past few years, from Sterling Shepard and Dede Westbrook to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Ceedee Lamb. Sophomore D.J. Graham may have corralled the best catch of them all against Nebraska on Saturday — and he’s a cornerback.
Nebraska had the ball at the Sooners’ 23-yard line down 23-9 with 8:28 remaining. It was fourth-and-18, but with the game winding down — and a Lincoln Riley-led offense on the other sideline — the Huskers went for it despite the distance.
Graham made Nebraska pay for its bold call. After play-faking out of the shotgun, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez faced instant pressure from his left and scrambled right, eventually launching a floater to a double-covered Levi Falck near the goal line. Graham then leapt in the air to snag the ball with one hand and flipped onto his back to secure the interception.
The crowd in Norman’s Memorial Stadium erupted after the unbelievable interception.
Here’s the pylon angle, including an absolutely stunned look from Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Graham’s acrobatic interception looks as smooth in slow motion and from the field.
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who earned consensus All-American honors for the Sooners in 2017-18, was at the game and caught another video of Graham’s pick. The NBA All-Star then shared it on Instagram with the caption, “Yo … DAWG SNATCHED THAT!!!”
Apparently Graham has made jaw-dropping interceptions before, but away from the public’s eye. Caleb Williams — an Oklahoma freshman and the 2021 recruiting class’ second-ranked quarterback — said Graham’s leaping interception “isn’t new,” adding Graham “did it to me” in practice.
If Graham — who previously had one career interception — can translate some of those practice interceptions to the games, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will be more than satisfied.
Oklahoma eventually defeated Nebraska, 23-16, to start the season 3-0. The Sooners will battle a feisty West Virginia squad coming off an upset of No. 15 Virginia Tech next Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
